AL Harris tested amid report of ruptured spleen

[September 23, 2008]  GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- Green Bay Packers cornerback Al Harris underwent additional medical tests Monday amid a report he might have ruptured his spleen in Sunday's loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

The National Football Post, a Web site that lists Harris' agent as a contributor, reported that the injury could end Harris' season, but Harris was seeking a second opinion. Agent Jack Bechta did not immediately return a message from The Associated Press.

Earlier in the day, Packers coach Mike McCarthy said the team's medical staff was "just doing scans" on Harris and were "checking for everything." A team spokesman said no additional information was available.

Harris left Sunday night's game with 6:51 left in the first quarter after he collided with Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk. Harris returned two plays later.

But Harris had to leave again later in the series after tackling Cowboys running back Marion Barber -- and this time, he didn't return. Harris went to the Packers' locker room in the second quarter with what team officials described as cramping.

McCarthy said after the game that Harris had blood in his urine and was not allowed to return by the team's medical staff.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Chris Simms ruptured his spleen in a game against the Carolina Panthers in 2006 and had an emergency procedure to have it removed. He missed the rest of the season and returned in 2007, but was inactive for the first five games before being placed on injured reserve.

The Buccaneers cut Simms in August, and he signed with Tennessee in September. Simms has yet to play in three games for the Titans this season.

The loss of Harris would be a difficult blow to the Packers' defense. Harris, who specializes in the aggressive style of bump-and-run coverage favored by Packers coaches, went to his first Pro Bowl last season.

Despite both being over the age of 30, he and Charles Woodson form one of the NFL's most formidable cornerback tandems. Woodson was effective against Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens on Sunday, but the Packers had a hard time containing the rest of the Cowboys' offense without Harris on the field.

"Anytime you lose guys, it's hard, but you expect other guys to step up," Packers defensive coordinator Bob Sanders said after Sunday's game. "But certainly losing Al, a guy of that caliber, that hurts. Anytime you lose a guy like that, it's not good."

And Harris isn't the only member of the secondary who's hurting.

Already missing strong safety Atari Bigby because of a hamstring injury, the Packers also had to handle a back injury to fellow safety Nick Collins during Sunday night's game.

And Woodson continues to play through a broken toe, toughing it out on game days but skipping most or all of practice during the week. Woodson said Sunday night that his toe was "hurtin'," and that the Packers faced a difficult week with so many injuries in the secondary.

"It's a tough week, but this is what we're paid to do," Woodson said. "Regardless of injuries and what hurts on the guys, you've got to get it right to get ready for next week."

McCarthy said Collins has a lower back contusion, but did not provide a timeframe for his return. And he didn't seem certain Bigby would be back this week.

"I don't know," McCarthy said. "You know how hamstrings are. It's different with all of them. You can scan them, you can look at them, and get all of the information. Every one of them is different, so we'll see how he responds. He's been a quick healer in the past, so hopefully."

[Associated Press; By CHRIS JENKINS]

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